Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Thevenet

Kevin M. Thevenet has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7319359
    Abstract: A current limiting driver circuit for a semiconductor power switch and a switching device including same. The driver circuit includes a sensing circuit for providing a signal representing the current flowing through the semiconductor power switch, a driver circuit for the power switch, a driver circuit for the sensing circuit, and a comparator circuit having a first input provided by an output of the sensing circuit, a second input provided by a reference signal, and an output provided as a signal input for the first and second driver circuits. A first charge pump provides the supply voltage for the driver circuits, and a second charge pump provides the supply voltage for the comparator, which is higher than the supply voltage for the power switch and the sensing circuit, so that the first and second driver circuits limit the current through the power switch and the sensing circuit even when the output of the sensing circuit approaches the value of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: International Rectifier Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin M. Thevenet